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EDWIN NAIDU
SOUTH Africa has an endemic, growing and unique disease that is not only affecting the health of our country’s democratic structures but is also an ill-conceived form of retribution for the lack of service delivery.
Voter turnout continues to decline, but abstention is not the cure for consternation. It is a matter the North-West University (NWU) hopes to address through its unique blend of teaching- learning initiatives.
The last number of election cycles –nationally and locally – have seen a decline in voter turnout.
Viewed through the prism of voter participation, the picture painted is obscure.
Shouldn’t more voters turn out to voice their disdain if they feel empty promises continue to be made?
According to Naledi Modise, an expert at the NWU on voter behaviour, elections, electoral systems and political participation, this is a perplexing phenomenon. One, she says, that can be attributed to democratic dividends. Or rather, the lack thereof.
“We have seen fewer and fewer voters turn out with every election since about 2009. Firstly, it is a response to the socio-economic circumstances of the majority of the voters. This is due to a lack of democratic dividends. The majority feels that they are not receiving the benefits of the democracy they were promised. Their socioeconomic status and circumstances have not improved. Secondly, there is a decreased faith in or even a distrust of the democratic institutions that were established during the transition to democracy.”
Now, South Africa’s largest voting bloc is non-voters, and accountability for the dilemma and solutions are needed.
“The lack of delivery in improving the social circumstances of the people who vote for them is the responsibility of those in government and of the governing party, which is the ANC. What you also see with the decline in voter turnout is a protest against the ANC concerning services the voters have not received. So, instead of voting, they choose not to.”
However, the buck does not stop here!
INSIDE EDUCATION